Preservation of Stoneleigh Park's Historic Nature Questioned

Stoneleigh Park is on the national register of historic landmarks, but not on Westfield’s historic preservation list, so on Wednesday evening resident Sherry Hines of the park approached the council to make sure that new construction in the area is compatible with the rest of the neighborhood.

Stoneleigh Park is a development of historic homes located in the center of Westfield Avenue, Shackamaxon Drive, Rahway Avenue and Dorian Road.

On Wednesday, before the council read a resolution to demolition 10 Stoneleigh Park and two other single-family dwellings, Hines approached the council and urged them to keep in mind the historical nature of the park when making a decision on demolishing the property and the standards for new builds in the area.

“Even though the house won’t be historic I think it’s within the towns council decision to be compatible with the historic nature of the park,” she expressed.

The owners of 10 Stoneleigh Park, their architect and builder met with the Historic Preservation Committee this week and discussed changes to the façade of the current plan for a new construction, Hines said. However, she felt they did not go far enough in keeping the home in line with the rest of the properties.

“Every home there has one of three different historical designs,” she said. “This house has yet to define itself in some sort of period.”

Town Attorney, Russell Finestein suggested that during the meeting between the owners and the HPC several suggestion were made to change things, even windows, to be in more historic.

However, there is no requirement for the owners to do this, but they did agree to follow the suggestions to the extent they can within their expense limitations, Finestein said.

Councilman James Foerst added that the property owners are only receiving a demolition permit at this time and have already agreed to change the planned homes façade from stone to brick.

The council unanimously approved the demolition of the property, to which Finestein said the HPC has said the planned home would be a vast improvement than the home currently there.